Pharmacy Q & A
A day in the life of pharmacist, Landi van Niekerk
Free State, Medirite Kroonstad
Get to know your friendly Medirite pharmacist!
Q: What inspired you to become a pharmacist?
I was inspired to become a pharmacist through a combination of my love for science and my desire to help people. Pharmacy allows me to do both.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of being a pharmacist?
I enjoy developing trust and relationships with patients who return for advice and support. And, being a reliable source of comfort and knowledge to my community.
Q: How should we manage medication use (like OTCs) for every ache and pain?
We try to treat patients' pain with the least amount of medication for the shortest period. If a patient continuously returns for the same problem, we must refer them for further diagnosis of the persistent problem. Continuous and excessive use of certain OTC pain medication can lead to serious side effects such as stomach ulcers, constipation, and even addiction. It remains our responsibility to help guide and manage patients' use of OTC medication.
Q: How do pharmacists stay updated on the latest medicine guidelines?
We stay up to date with new guidelines through Continuous Professional Development activities, attending online workshops, and reviewing current literature and trusted online publications. This ensures that we apply the latest evidence-based practices to patient care.
Q: What are three things you wish every patient knew before starting a new prescription?
- The importance of taking medication as prescribed.
- Why you should never share your medication with a family member, friend, or neighbour.
- Correct and safe storage of medication at home.
Q: Why is it important to finish a course of antibiotics, even if you feel better?
Incorrect use of antibiotics causes antibiotic resistance. Basically, what this means is that bacteria change in a way that makes antibiotics less effective. Instead of killing the bacteria, the bacteria survive, grow, and spread.
Q: Can you walk us through a “typical day” in your role?
A typical day involves managing administrative tasks, such as financials, ordering, and reporting. It further includes delegating tasks to pharmacy personnel, maintaining the organisation and upkeep of the pharmacy, dispensing medications, and counselling patients. Patient care and customer service remain the first and top priority.
Q: How do pharmacists play a role in public health beyond just dispensing medicine?
As pharmacists, we are often the first source of health information to the community, and that comes with great responsibility. Being accessible and knowledgeable; we can positively influence health outcomes, curb the spread of misinformation about health topics, and build a healthier well-informed community.
Q: October is Eye Care Awareness Month – what can you tell us about eye health?
Our eyes are delicate and vital organs, and in need of great care. Even without symptoms, regular check-ups with an optometrist are recommended. Healthy eye habits include proper screen breaks, wearing sunglasses, and maintaining eye hygiene. In the pharmacy, we often see patients misdiagnose dry eyes as allergies and often overuse antihistamine drops. Overuse worsens dry eyes and may cause rebound dryness, redness and irritation. This is an area where we as pharmacists can help and educate patients and improve their quality of life.